Finka

Where plant science meets technology

Born in Mexico to a Polish father and a Mexican mother, Blajer explains that his parents are from “a different world” to horticulture. “They are both ballet dancers. I was the opposite way – I always liked biology and other sciences.” Whilst the stage is certainly a different working environment to the glasshouse, there are arguably some similarities between Blajer’s career and that of his parents … Blajer’s passion for, and dedication to, horticulture no doubt mirrors the dedication and discipline his parents brought to dance.

Encouraged by an agronomist friend of his family who planted in him the initial seed of interest, Blajer pursued a degree in agronomy in Madrid, Spain. He was drawn to the fusion of plant cultivation and technological innovation. Returning to Mexico with an eye towards North American greenhouse opportunities, he stepped straight into an environment where high-tech infrastructure meets plant physiology.

The site features an array of sophisticated tools, including energy screens, diffuse glass, misting equipment, and Hoogendoorn’s Intelligent Algorithms – which continually analyses real-time crop and climate data to provide actionable steering recommendations.

“We’ve got all of the cool stuff,” smiles Blajer. “We nickname them ‘toys,’ but we know that we need to ‘play’ with them very responsibly!”

These “toys’ are crucial for navigating Querétaro’s demanding climate. Situated near the Tropic of Cancer, the site experiences intense solar radiation and high photoperiods alongside dry air and drought conditions. Utilising tools like crop misting, for example, allows the Finka team to care for the crop efficiently without wasting precious water resources.

Continuous learning – gaining new insights

Just a week after the joint presentation – and having previously attended a condensed version of the Summer School – Blajer secured a last-minute spot on the Plant Empowerment Summer School (2026) to learn even more about the Plant Empowerment philosophy.

Blajer observes that growers’ busy operations schedules often leave little room for theoretical exploration: “When we work as a grower, there’s sometimes not enough time for us to learn new approaches to growing. So, the Summer School is the perfect place to exchange those ideas to learn new concepts.”

A key lesson during the event centred around plant resilience and health monitoring, presented by consultant Mark van der Werf. Blajer discovered that measuring Brix levels in the leaves – rather than solely in the fruit – provides a direct measure of plant resilience against pests and fungal diseases. Higher Brix levels indicate stronger natural defences.

“You can analyse the plant’s Brix levels throughout the cycle, and that’s something that my team and I were not aware of – and it’s something that I’m implementing into my growing regime now.”

Building a global community of growers

For Blajer, the benefits of being part of the Plant Empowerment community also extend beyond software and sensors into the vital social connection it fosters. Working in high-tech horticulture can sometimes feel isolated, making the opportunity to connect with international peers deeply rewarding.

For example, Blajer and other growers that he met at the Summer School returned home to share real-time updates and trial results within their newly established network.

Ultimately, it is this shared passion that unites growers across borders, proving that no matter where they gather, “90% of the time, we are talking about plants.”

This spirit of collaboration, coupled with a passion for data-driven cultivation rooted in Plant Empowerment principles, is what will see dynamic growers like Blajer propel horticulture into the future.